KraftyKay13
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2016
- Messages
- 10
Hi all! I purchased two female Russian tortoises just over a year ago, and I'm concerned about the shell on one of them (Gabi). When I got her, she had white lines/gaps between her scutes (picture below). I didn't notice it at the time and they weren't too bad. I'm not sure what kind of care they received from their previous owner.
(Taken last May -- about a month after I got her)
Since then, it looks like her shell has just gotten worse
(Pictures taken today)
Do you know what the problem is? Is there anything I can do to help her shell? I could take her to the vet, but would like it to be a last resort (I'm not sure where the nearest exotic pet vet is, and I can't afford it at the moment). I tried giving them more calcium and changing their UVB bulb, but I don't think that's helped too much.
A little more information: I use coco coir as a substrate (I used to mix in sand, but changed it a few months ago) and their basking spot gets to around 90 degrees during the day. I feed them a variety of store bought greens (spring mix, red and green leaf lettuce, radicchio, endive, etc.) and put calcium powder on their food a few times a week. I'm not sure what the humidity is in their enclosure, but I'm pretty sure it's not quite high enough. I try to give them outside time as much as possible. I'm also not sure how old Gabi is.
Thank you so much in advance!!
(Taken last May -- about a month after I got her)
Since then, it looks like her shell has just gotten worse
(Pictures taken today)
Do you know what the problem is? Is there anything I can do to help her shell? I could take her to the vet, but would like it to be a last resort (I'm not sure where the nearest exotic pet vet is, and I can't afford it at the moment). I tried giving them more calcium and changing their UVB bulb, but I don't think that's helped too much.
A little more information: I use coco coir as a substrate (I used to mix in sand, but changed it a few months ago) and their basking spot gets to around 90 degrees during the day. I feed them a variety of store bought greens (spring mix, red and green leaf lettuce, radicchio, endive, etc.) and put calcium powder on their food a few times a week. I'm not sure what the humidity is in their enclosure, but I'm pretty sure it's not quite high enough. I try to give them outside time as much as possible. I'm also not sure how old Gabi is.
Thank you so much in advance!!